A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York, Part 38

Author: Minard, John Stearns, 1834-1920; Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Alfred, N.Y., W. A. Fergusson & co.
Number of Pages: 1102


USA > New York > Allegany County > A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany county, New York > Part 38


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Genesee .- White mitts worn 100 years ago; corset worn in 1740; specta- cles, commission of cavalry officer issued in 1808; andirons, oven and crane; snuff box century old; hoe bought in 1810; family Bible 125 years old; doll 70 years old dressed in exactly the fashion of to-day, besides many other relics.


Hume .- A portrait of Major Peter Keenan of the 8th Penn. Cavalry, with his uniform and sword occupy prominent place in this excellent collection, gathered by John S. Minard; portraits of Roger Mills and wife, Samuel Russell and wife; Geo. Minard and wife. Stephen B. Jacobs and wife, Jona- than Thatcher, an old hunter; R. W. Botsford and wife; Augustus d'Autre- mont, all old pioneers; wooden pitchers, 1790; almanacs of 1804-5; old books; wooden mortar and pestle 100 years old; account books of Roger Mills and A. d'Autremont of 1776 and 1820; Indian ax; naturalization papers of Augus- tus d'Autremont; Indian ladles and other relics found at site of Indian vil- lage of Caneadea; cavalryman's cap 1800; mahogany server used in serving LaFayette; Indian meal sieve; conch shell owned by Capt. Isaac Van Nos- trand at Short Tract, always blown at 4 A. M., 12 M., and 9 P. M., (as the captain had the only time piece in the settlement) has been heard 6 miles; wooden bread trough, shape and size of a wooden cradle; an old paper, the sale bill of a negress is particularly of interest.


Bill of sale far Charlotte, to Augustus D' Autremont .- Know all men by these presents that, I, Victor Du'Pont of the town of Angelica, County of Allegany, State of New York, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars in hand, paid to me by Mr. d'Autre- mont for my black wench named Charlotte, which I have bought from Mordicai Hale, Esq.' with her boy now four weeks old, said girl to serve Mr. d'Autremont for twenty years, faithfully and honestly, after which time I warrant her free if she behaves properly during the time she has to serve. The boy to serve Mr. d'Autremont till he is 28 years old as the law directs. And I' do for myself, heirs, assigns, executors and administrators quit and renounce all claims to said wench and boy. Witness my hand,


Angelica, this 15th day of August 1809,


Signed and delivered in presence of


V. DU'PONT. AUGUSTUS D'AUTREMONT, ELLIS PEARCE.


Independence .- Portraits of Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Barney, Mary A. Covell, Mary A. Wood, Alva Wood, " a pioneer of Whitesville "; sword used at Bunker Hill; fife used in war of 1812 by Nathan Babcock; the first clock used in Whitesville 1800; etc.


317


CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.


Rushford .- Singing book 1797, old wooden square, handmade nail from the first frame house in Rushford, bread toaster, flat irons, skillets, apple parer, wooden bread tray, flint lock musket, wooden lantern made in 1810, before tin lanterns were known. cap quiller, old spectacles, old map of United States, assessment roll, old books and bed covers.


Scio .- A great collection of old books, pottery, linen work, was very in- teresting. Rockingchair given to Esther B. Hale as a wedding present in 1790, and many years old then; flax and quill wheels and basket, 150 years old; wooden cradle in which seven generations had been rocked; trammel and kettles, andirons, tongs and shovels, hand fan 150 years old. lantern 100 years old, warming pans. Many of these were brought by Mrs. Hinkley, who took great interest in the exhibit. as did also Mrs. Geo. W. Smith, who was present with her flax wheel and delighted the people by showing them the old-fashioned way of spinning flax. The Scio corner represented an old fire-place and was fitted with all the utensils found in old well regulated grandfathers' kitchens. Mrs. Edward Carr sent a family tea chest, 200 years old; bayonet and cartridge box war of 1812; a sword used when the artillery was called out in Alfred to subdue the rioters when the Erie road was built; rolling pin used by the Middaugh family several generations, and chair used by Wm. Middaugh 1845; old books from the Norton family and almanacs from 1824; piece calico owned by fifth generation; black earthen tea pot and pitcher saved from a fearful cyclone wreck of 60 years ago. The case sent by K. S. Black and Eugene T. Black contained an Oxford Bible printed in London in 1784 that belonged to Nathanael Dike, also the latter's account book, and a fine collection of stamps and coins.


Willing .- The old fashioned kitchen arranged for Willing attracted much attention, and Mrs. Warren Rice of Hallsport, over 80 years old, received her many friends there, and interested the hundreds of people who crowded around her by spinning flax in the good old way and explaining the various uses made of it in " Ye Olden Times." The Willing collection, gathered by Mrs. O. T. Perkins, Mrs. Lorenzo Witter, Mrs. Mapes and others was very complete. Among other things were: A sword captured from a captain of the 47th Va. Vols. in 1865 by Lieut. O. T, Perkins; a dictionary over 100 years old, now owned by Mrs. Supplina Rice; Bible 102 years old, Mrs. Wood; a chair owned by Eld. Nathaniel Perkins over 100 years ago; cavalry sack worn by Mr. Rice in the Revolutionary war, owned by Leonard Fanton; warming pan used in connection with the fire-place, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Luther Hall; tin bake-oven. pewter pan, turn spit, cards for pre- paring wool for spinning, foot stove; dummy attired in dress worn by Mrs. C. D. Mills 60 years ago; bonnet made 100 years ago and now owned by Mrs. Daniel Peacock; shoulder shawl by Mrs. Mapes; embroidery done by Miss Thankful Hall 85 years ago, part of a bed quilt pieced by her nearly 100 years ago; woolen stockings spun, dyed and knit by Thankful Hall, and most beautifully done. The relics in the case of J. R. Hawkins were very old. A


318


HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.


lace cap worn by Jerusha Ellis, said to come over in the Mayflower; a cane and powder horn from the body of a British officer at Bunker Hill; rare books, Bible printed in 1793; the collection of spectacles, some over 300 years old, property of John Barney; a corset said to be 115 years old, much stiffer than those now worn; old silver and curios, and many other articles.


Wellsville .- The Wellsville exhibit was large and varied, filling three sides of the large room on the third floor. Louis Dornow showed three cases of birds, all natives of Allegany, excellently mounted by taxidermist O. E. Vars of Andover. A case of Lincoln curios, photographs and autographs exhibited by J. M. Rathbun, attracted much attention. The signatures are all genuine and very interesting. A turquoise serpentine bracelet presented to Mrs. Rathbun's mother by Mrs. Lincoln. Dr. H. M. Sheerar had a case of fossils, Indian relics and curios from all parts of the world. Not the least interesting was a will made in 1694, a Roman History of 1648, Columbian Reader of 1810, a fluid lamp in use between the era of candles and that of kerosene; sickle 80 years old, and a trilobite, very perfect, at least 6,000 years old. First account book of the first store in Wellsville kept by Silas Hills in 1832 and later years. Map of Allegany county loaned by D. C. Ackerman, made in 1829. A number of towns were included now a part of Livingston county. Padlock that came over in the Mayflower. N. B. Grames had a large collection of antiquities including high clock, rifle, violin, knapsack, powder horn and half a hundred other curios. Mrs. A. A. Good- liff had a case of shells, spoons 200 years old with family crest, and curios, besides old chairs and other antiquities. Mrs. Chas. Smith exhibited a rare collection of old andirons, fenders, furniture, bedding, etc. Rev. Geo. Buch Indian relics of Allegany county, three volumes of an old Bible, lady's gold watch 156 years old. Mrs. H. K. Opp's case contained a china punch bowl used by Washington and his aides at Newburg; teapot 125 years old; lace veils 80 years old; china cups and saucers, very old, and other relics. Miss Mary Cowles exhibited a fine old pewter plate, London made and in the family 100 years; wooden salt cellar, 125 years old, belonging to her grand- mother; long beaded purse carried by a lady of fashion in 1830. Mrs. C. F. Kendall showed a remarkably finely executed pen-written music book by Wm. Kendall, a musician of ability, he came to this country from England in 1830, set of Tippecanoe glass dishes with scenes from the famous cam- paign of 1840; gold banded china teapot, 200 years old; chair, wedding present of her father and mother, and silhouettes of the latter. Miss Russell showed the first sewing machine of Wellsville, old side saddle and a fine collection of relics. Passport of O. P. Taylor, given by secretary of state in 1858, and one from Dom Pedro of Brazil in 1860. The collection of old china of all kinds, pewter jugs and plates, bottles, etc., filled several cases and ranged in age from fifty to over a hundred years. To mention them all would take columns of space. Poster of the first 4th of July cele- bration in Wellsville, 1841; Capt. Z. H. Jones, marshal; Lewis Foster, president. Looking glass 100 years old, Mrs. Caldicott. Pair shears 200


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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.


years old. made in England, owned by Mrs. Rosina Briggs. Pitcher owned by Van Amburg, the lion tamer, 75 years ago, and given by him to Mrs. Sexton. Collection of Indian relics from Jas. Thornton. Mrs. Win. Mason, spinning wheel at work. Mrs. J. R. Freeland exhibited a large number of articles, including beautiful old china and silver, old glass cup plates, coins, relies of war 1812, pieces of wood taken from frigate " New Orleans," wed- ding bonnet and dress of her mother, old whiskey bottle, etc. An old dinner and tea set purchased by Mrs. L. D. Davis (mother of Mrs. W. B. Coats) in 1845. The remarkable part of it is that the set is complete after a service of fifty years. Mrs. Oak Duke, commission issued to her great-grandfather by Samuel Adams. Mrs. W. F. Jones loaned a fine collection of old silver and china. Portraits of early Wellsville pioneers, showing many generations. Henry L. Jones brass clock of 1734, fire carrier 1776; Nathaniel Dike's home- made hammer and shears, and other relics. Mrs. Wm. Miller, tall clock; child's chair 100 years old, property of Mrs. D. Clark attracted much atten- tion. A dress and shawl 150 years old, which belonged to Mrs. B. F. Perkins' grandmother. Quilt presented in 1855 by the Ladies' Anti-slavery Society of Friendship to Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Cole, and the original " Editor's Easy Chair " of A. N. Cole. Pewter tea pot brought from England in 1805, Mrs. J. B. Goodliff. Pewter sugar bowl, 150 years old, Mrs. L. S Anderson. Snuff jar, 150 years old, Mrs. A. M. Boyd. We must stop here, as it is simply impossible to enumerate the immense number of articles of interest.


THE PRIZE ESSAYS.


OUR COUNTY .- The First Prize Essay, written and read by Miss Lizzie L. Grove of Friendship .- The history of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, is familiar to every student of history. Their privations and trials were something which the young people of to-day can scarcely realize. Yet not less severe were the trials and hardships endured by the Pilgrims who came through the great wilderness of Western New York, and found their way into that part of the state, the one hundredth anniversary of whose settlement is celebrated to-day. While riding from town to town in the many pleasant drives which Allegany county affords, it seems almost impossible to imagine the entire place a great wilderness. More especially do we notice this in driving from Friendship to Angelica. One place from all others attracts the attention of passersby, and that is the Church Farm. Not only is it noticed because of the beauty of the place and its surroundings, but because of the fact that it was the home of Judge Philip Church, the son of one of the first settlers of the county. In 1799 Mr. John B. Church purchased from the Morris Reserve 100,000 acres of land, covered with pines. Philip Church, with a small party guided by Moses Van Campen, started from what is now Almond, to explore the land recently purchased by his father. This was accomplished, and in 1804 a map of the Church Tract was made, and Angelica laid out near the center. Previous to the coming of the white settlers the county was inhabited by a tribe of Indians called Senecas, who lived near Caneadea, and in this town was situated the old " council house " of the Indians. One of their tribe bore a name renowned and familiar to the older inhabitants of the county, that of Mary Jemison, or as she is often called, "The white woman of the Genesee." Captured by the Indians when about 12 years old, she spent the remainder of her life among the Senecas, by whom she was ever honored and respected. When the county wasstill a part of Genesee county, Nathan- ael Dike, a graduate of Yale College, and a soldier of the Revolution, first settled in what is now Allegany county. Mr. Dike was a native of Connecticut, from which state he moved into Penn- sylvania, and from there in 1795 within the borders of Wellsville. Therefore it is fitting that


320


HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.


this celebration should be held in this town. Another of the early settlers, who was known and respected throughout the county, was Hon. Martin Butts of Clarksville. Settling early in that town, he made for himself a home and a name remembered many years. Still another, is the Hon. John Hammond, or who was perhaps better known by the title of " Honest John Ham- mond." In 1831 Mr. Hammond with his father moved to Allegany county, and from that time until his death in 1887, he was prominent in the affairs of the county. Soon after the settle- ment of Mr. Dike, by an act of the New York state legistature, Allegany county was formed from Genesee county April 7, 1806, but comparatively little was done towards settling it until near the close of the year. Slowly and tediously the great forests began to disappear, and new settlers joined those already here. Their small log houses gave place to larger and better ones. The settlements and the number of homes increased, and the manufacture of lumber formed the leading industry of the pioneers for many years, but as the forests disappeared this indus- try began to give way to agriculture. The various industries of the county are due, to a large extent, to the great diversity of soil and surface. While Allegany is fortunate in never having been visited by war, yet the inhabitants have suffered from it. To the war of 1812 it contribu- ted its portion, as afterward in the late war, when it is said no county in New York opposed slavery more strongly than Allegany. To Angelica is due the honor of being the first town in the county in which a newspaper was published. Here in 1820 the Angelica Republican was started, but continued only a few years. Angelica was made the first county seat, being then the most central place. During the time Angelica was the county seat, two railroads and the Genesee Valley canal were built, none of which passed through Angelica, and it was decided to move the county seat. Accordingly, in 1858 it was partially removed to Belmont, but court was held in both places until about one year ago when Belmont became the county seat. In our country, where all men are free and equal, the self-made men hold a high place in the esti- mation of our people. Judge Martin Grover ranked among the first of our county. From a poor boy working in the office of a lawyer, he became by his own efforts one of the best edu- cated men in the state, and finished his career as a judge of the court of appeals in New York state. As Allegany county grew and improved in other ways, so it did in its educational work. In the town of Alfred William C. Kenyon opened a school, to which came young men and women from all over the country. By his enthusiasm and earnestness Mr. Kenyon instilled into the hearts of his pupils worthy thoughts which appeared later in their lives. All over the United States these pupils, now teachers, statesmen and divines, have gone forth carrying with them praises for Allegany, until it has become renowned for its educational advantages. The four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the western continent by Columbus was celebrated at Chicago. May the celebration at Wellsville, of the one hundredth anniversary of the settle- ment of our dear old Allegany, be as long remembered, and may the history of the county be as familiar to every person in the county, as is the history of the discovery of America.


OUR COUNTY .-- Second Prize Essay, written by Miss Ruth Mason, Rushford .- Probably no county has ever been opened for settlement with greater difficulties to overcome than the territory which comprises Allegany county. The dense forests which covered the surface were the greatest hinderance, because of the great time taken by settlers to remove them. Aslate as 1809 or 10, settlements on the Holland Purchase were few, because of the density of the wood- land. After this time the prosperity of the county slowly advanced. The lumber produced found but little market at home, as the land lay far from the head waters of the Allegany. If this had been the only difficulty with which the county met, there would have been much greater prosperity. But it was not, the free use of whiskey in all the Genesee country was a curse which made the strong men weak, and carried sorrow into the log cabins of the wilderness. The actual settlement of the county was begun in 1795, in the spring of which year Nathanael Dike located in the present town of Wellsville on Dikes Creek. Nathanael Dike came from Tioga Point, Pa., but was a native of Connecticut. He received his education at Yale, and during


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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.


the Revolution was attached to Gen. Warren's staff at Boston and later to Gen. Washington's. In 1796 Rev. Andrew Gray, Wm. Gray, Joseph A. Rathbun and Benjamin Vandermark settled in the town of Almond. All of these were from the same locality in northern Pennsylvania, and brought their goods in flat-bottomed scows up the Susquehanna and its tributaries to the site of Hornellsville. The towns settled next after Wellsville and Almond, were Andover in 1796 at Elm Valley, Independence in 1798, and Genesee in 1799 at Ceres. Allegany county was formed from Genesee, April 7, 1806. The western tier of townships of Steuben county was annexed in 1808. A portion was re-annexed to Genesee in 1811, and Eagle, Pike, Genesee Falls, Portage, Nunda and Ossian were taken off in 1846. Another portion was added to Livingston in 1856, leaving the county as it now is. The eastern tier of towns was included in the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, the two western tiers in the Holland Purchase, and the two intermediate tiers in the Morris Reserve. The Holland Purchase was the territory ceded to the Holland Land Company by the Six Nations in 1797. The Morris Reserve was owned by Robert Morris, excepting 100,000 acres belonging to John B. Church. This tract was bid in for Mr. Church by his son Philip at the foreclosure of a mortgage to secure $80,000 lent by Church's agent, Alexander Hamilton to Morris. The surface of the county is mostly a hilly upland, divided into valleys by the streams, much of it presenting a rugged mountainous sur- face. The highest summits are 2,000 to 2,500 feet above tide, or 500 to 800 feet above the valley, many of whose slopes are too steep for profitable cultivation. The hills end abruptly on the Genesee which flows through a deep valley. The drainage of the county is sufficient to indicate its elevated character. There are two main ridges, which extend parallel with the Genesee river, and form watersheds to streams flowing into that river and the Canisteo, a tributary of the Susquehanna, on the east; and the Allegany river on the west. The Genesee flows in a northerly direction through the center of the county, The rocks of the county belong mostly to the shales and sandstones, the former being found mostly in the northern part, and the later in the southern part, though sandstones have been quarried in Rushford for grindstones. Before the county was occupied by the whites it was embraced in the do- main of the Senecas, who lived in large numbers on the Genesee flats. They raised corn and potatoes, and sometimes camped and hunted on the uplands, where they were accustomed to make maple sugar in the spring. The Indians gave up their lands in Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, by a treaty at Buffalo Creek in 1788. The rest of the county, except the Caneadea Reservation, was given up in 1797, by a treaty at Big Tree or Geneseo. The Reservation was ceded to the whites in 1825, but the Indians remained upon it until 1830, their principal village being at Caneadea. The first court held the year after the county was formed, sat at Angelica June 2, 1807. By an act of the next legislature the county seat was permanently located at that place, a court house and jail being erected soon. The first county judge was Philip Church, owner of the large Church estate. In 1858 an act was passed, providing for the removal of the county seat to a point on the Erie railroad. Belmont was chosen and up to 1892 courts were held alternately at the two places. Although grains can be successfully grown, the county is best adapted to grazing. Dairying has become the most important business of the county. The lumbering business was once very important, many immense trees being found in the forests, but they have nearly disappeared. The principal improvements are the Erie railroad, which enters near the center of the eastern border, and extends through to the center of the western ; the Genesee Valley canal, which extended along the valley of the Genesee to Oramel at which place it turned and went southwest. Several well-known men have been born, or at some time have lived in our county, among whom are Senator Teller, United States senator from Colorado, who received his education at Rushford Academy. Dr. Wm. Smith, formerly from Granger, was health officer of port of New York for many years. He was removed by Gov. Flower. Senator Higgins, state senator for the 32d district, was born in Rushford, edu- cated at Pike Seminary. Judge Hatch, formerly from Oramel, now a judge of the superior court of Buffalo. Judge Hamilton Ward, judge of the supreme court, 8th district; his present home is Belmont. Robert J. Ingersoll born at Dresden, N. J., who lived at Hume when a boy, is now a prominent lawyer and lecturer in New York City. One university, several academies and many union schools have been established within its borders, gaining for Allegany a good educational standing among the counties of the state. We hope that during the coming cent- ury, our county may advance as much as in the past, and that 1995 will find her possessed of many noble sons and daughters.


322


HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, N. Y.


ALLEGANY,


SHOWING THE DATE OF ERECTION OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS AND NAME OF FIRST SETTLERS AND YEARS OF SETTLEMENT.


LIVINGSTON


WYOMING


COUNTY


2838.


1827


COUNTY.


CENTERVILLE


J. MAXSON. 1808.


HUME R MILLS. 1806


GRANGER R. SMITH 1816


GROVE. J. WHITE 1 818.


BURNS.


1816.


1808.


1823.


1829.


GREGORY. 1805. 1827


1


RUSHFORD. 2


CANEADEA.


ALLEN


BIRDSALL J. WHITMAN


E GEARY 2808.


J.SCHOONOVER 1800


J. WILSON. 1806.


1816.


Z


0


1825 NEW HUDSON


BELFAST. B.E.C.%D CHAMBERLAIN 2803


ANGELICA. P. CHURCH. 7 802


D.ATHERTON. 1816


1808


2822


1815


1830


1856


ALFRED.


2


CUBA


FRIENDSHIP.


AMITY JNO. T. HYDE 1804


A WALLDORF 1817


1824


3


1835


2838


1823


ANDOVER


SCIO.


1855


CLARKSVILLE HAI SLAYTON 1822


WIRT B. CRABTREE. L.ABBOTT 1812


Jos. KNIGHT. 1805


WELLSVILLE


7822


N. DIKE 1795


2830


1825


2854


1852


INDE- PENDENCE


GENESEE. J. BELL


BOLIVAR T. COWLES 2 829.


W. HOUGH 2833


J. FORD. 1819


J. CRYDER. 1798


1917


PENNSYL


VANI


A JB. Minard Del.


& INA


18:33


1824.


1805


W ALMOND.


ALMOND. AK WA GRAY. 1796.


2


O


U


J. SPENCER. 1816-27


S ABBOTT 1822


R. FRIAR 1806


1 0 CATTARAUGUS 1


WARD.


C. CRANDALL 1807


S.COLE 1796.


N 3 8 1 71 5


ALMA.


WILLING.


1819.


1822.


1826


Allegany and Its People


A Centennial Memorial History


TOWNS OF THE MORRIS RESERVE


WELLSVILLE, ANGELICA, AMITY, SCIO, ALLEN, GRANGER, WEST ALMOND, WARD, BIRDSALL, GROVE, WILLING, ALMA.


325


WELLSVILLE.


WELLSVILLE. CHAPTER XXXVI.


BY LEWIS H. THORNTON.


This history proposes to interpret, so far as possible, present Wellsville. The past is a true fountain of knowledge by whose light alone to-day and to-morrow can be understood. A discussion of some of the causes which have created the Wellsville of to-day, the presentation of a collection of statistics, and a simple narrative of local history is its purpose. Historical events, otherwise uninteresting, gain a charm from having occurred on familiar ground. The Genesee river is more than a stream of water notorious for its spring floods, when one knows how it has historically affected the territory through which it flows. The Main street of Wellsville is invested with a new interest when one learns that it follows very nearly the old Indian trail along which Red Jacket and Cornplanter journeyed. Local history is remarkably difficult to investigate and set forth. Mis- takes are inevitable. When it is appreciated, however, by what laborious research among records, diaries, old account-books and histories ; and by how many patient interviews, facts have been rescued from the failing memories of the oldest residents, shortcomings may be forgiven. There is an old story to the effect that when Sir Walter Raleigh was a prisoner he saw from his window a street tumult and gave different testimony re- garding it than two other witnesses who themselves disagreed as to the circumstances. When it is impossible for us to be of one mind relative to things that have occurred within our sight and hearing, how difficult to search out the truth about events in the long ago. So hard, in fact, as to be impossible were not some of them contemporaneously recorded. Had it not been for the remarkable assiduity of Dr. H. M. Sheerar as a local annalist and chronicler of events in the history of Wellsville, many of the facts and details herein con- tained would long ago have been taken to the grave in the memory of those gone before. The reminiscences and scrap-books which he kindly placed at the disposal of the writer have been a source of authentic informa- tion. To the personal recollections also of Mr. and Mrs. John Cline, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Clark, Mr. G. B. Gordon and the diary of Mr. Carlton Farnum is due the publication of much that throws a new light on the history of Wellsville.




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